Co-sleeper - anyone use one?

I've read about co-sleepers in magazines, but don't know of anyone who's actually used one. Have you used one? Do you recommend it? Any tips to keep in mind?

 

We just bought a convertable bassinet that attaches to your bed (similar to a co-sleeper) made by Simplicity. The reason we chose this particular one is because it itt JPMA certified ,and I'm a safety freak. The Arms Reach co-sleeper is not JPMA crtified- I wish it was because my sister let me use hers. But when I found out it wasn't tested for safety, I just couldn't use it. Also, hers is a mini co-sleeper and she said her baby clouldn't fit in it after 10 weeks.

SO, I don't have any experience to share, but wnated to pass along the safety info. For more info, you can go to consumer reports online and they have a list with the brands of co-sleepers that have JPMA certification.

Good Luck!

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! Keep in mind that the bassinet portion is good to 30 lbs. My girls together weighed less than that when they started sitting and pulling themselves up. Most bassinet type playpens are only good to 15lbs. At least when I was looking a couple years ago. I also really like that this straps to your bed, to keep babies from getting stuck between. The bassinet portion sits like 8 inches lower than the top of your mattress, so you don't have to worry about them rolling out. But it's so convenient with twins! And my girls are 22 months and I still use it for one of my girls to sleep in. I had gotten rid of my crib right before finding out I was pregnant, and we decided to go with the co-sleeper and a play yard, instead. More versatile. About the only complaint I've heard about them is that if you have a c-section, it's a little harder to get out of bed... sliding down past it. I didn't have one, but I figured that even if I had, I've gotten much more use out of than just that first 4-5 weeks of recovery from that.

 

We just assembled one of our cribs without one side wall and put it right up next to our bed. The crib mattress was perfectly level with our mattress. It was great having the babies so close!

Once they got more mobile, we put the side wall in, but the crib is still right next to our bed. I love having it that way.

 

We used a borrowed Arms Reach co-sleeper for several months. It was definitely convenient to have the babies right there. I'm not really sure how different it would be from having them in a pack and play right next to the bed though (especially if you have the kind where you can put the "floor" in a higher up position).

It worked well for us, but I know from some friends that having a baby (or babies) right next to the bed like that made them (the parents) more likely to wake up from every tiny noise - things you might not notice if the baby was across the room or in another room. A friend of mine who had a singleton at the same time we had our twins (and I can talk about because she now also has twins herself!) said that with her first daughter she woke up every 15 minutes or so because the baby made some noise or other, and she always picked her up to nurse. In retrospect, she realizes this was ridiculous and completely unnecessary.

So, some things to think about . . .

Rachel

 

I had a co sleeper for Moshe and can't praise it enough. It's great. I loved it and would use it again. I really think it's money VERY well spent.

 

QUOTE(RachelJoy @ Oct 20 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]459141[/snapback]
....but I know from some friends that having a baby (or babies) right next to the bed like that made them (the parents) more likely to wake up from every tiny noise - things you might not notice if the baby was across the room or in another room.


Yes, we thought we would want them in the bedroom with us for awhile but that didn't happen because they'd wake me up with every little movement or noise. For the same reason, I can't sleep with the baby monitor on either. Thankfully, they're right down the hall from us so we can hear them crying anyway.

That said, I'm still glad we bought the cosleeper. We've taken it on trips for them to sleep in. Also, they can use it longer than most other pack and plays/bassinets and it was cheaper.

 

We used it for both our first son and the twins for the first two months or so. When they are up so much during the night it was much easier having them right there. After around 8 weeks or so I think we moved on to regular cribs, but for the first few months it was perfect for our needs.

Reyna